BC Canada Cruise from Vancouver to Seward — 15 Days

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver puts mountains, ocean and a working harbour within easy reach of the city centre. From the cruise terminal at Canada Place, walk to Gastown’s brick lanes, the waterfront and the shops of Robson Street. Stanley Park offers seawall views and towering cedars, while Granville Island brings a lively public market and artisan studios. Beyond downtown, ferries cross to North Vancouver, where the Capilano Suspension Bridge and mountain trails reveal the region’s wilder side.

Inside Passage

Alaska’s Inside Passage is not a single port, but a sheltered coastal route threading southeastern Alaska’s islands, channels and fjords. From the ship, watch for bald eagles, whales and mountains rising straight from the water. Calls may include Juneau, Ketchikan or Skagway, each with a distinct story, from Tlingit heritage to Gold Rush history. Bring binoculars; here, the finest moments often unfold between destinations.

Ketchikan, USA

Set on Revillagigedo Island in southeast Alaska, Ketchikan is a working fishing town framed by the Tongass National Forest. Its waterfront rises steeply above the Inside Passage, where fishing boats and floatplanes share the harbor. Walk Creek Street, a former red-light district built over Ketchikan Creek. At the Totem Heritage Center, see Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian art. For wilderness, boat or fly to Misty Fjords National Monument.

Wrangell AK, USA

Wrangell occupies the northern tip of Wrangell Island, where the Stikine River meets the sea. Tlingit heritage and a layered past come into focus at Chief Shakes Island and the local museum. At Petroglyph Beach, ancient carvings appear between tides. In summer, boat trips reach Anan Wildlife Observatory, where bears gather to feed on salmon. Here, Indigenous history and untamed river country remain close at hand.

Petersburg AK, USA

Petersburg sits on Mitkof Island, where fishing boats still outnumber tour buses and Norwegian heritage shapes the town’s character. Walk the compact waterfront to see a working fleet, seafood processors and mountains rising beyond Frederick Sound. Boat trips explore nearby LeConte Glacier, with seals and eagles often spotted along the way. On shore, forest trails and local museums offer a closer look at life in this self-reliant Southeast Alaska community.

Kupreanof Island, USA

Kupreanof Island offers a quieter face of southeast Alaska. Temperate rainforest rises above sheltered coves, and waterways wind through the spruce-lined shores of the Alexander Archipelago. Kake is a Tlingit community with deep ties to the land and sea. The tiny city of Kupreanof sits across Wrangell Narrows from Petersburg. Come for coastal scenery, local history and the chance to see wildlife in its natural setting.

Tracy Arm Fjord, USA

Tracy Arm is a 30-mile glacial fjord in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, about 45 miles south of Juneau. Its steep granite walls rise above teal water, while waterfalls stream down the cliffs in summer. At the fjord’s head, the twin Sawyer Glaciers calve ice into the water, often sending small bergs drifting past. Ships move slowly here; the best views are from deck, where wildlife may include seals and eagles.

Chichagof Island, USA

At Icy Strait Point, your ship brings you to Chichagof Island, a wild corner of Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago. Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Tlingit community, opens onto dense forest, sheltered coves, and abundant wildlife. Look for humpback whales offshore, or join a guided search for brown bears in the island’s temperate rainforest. The port’s small scale keeps local history and the surrounding wilderness close at hand.

Hubbard Glacier, USA

At Hubbard Glacier, your ship becomes a front-row seat to one of Alaska’s great natural spectacles. More than six miles wide at its face, this tidewater glacier descends from the Saint Elias Mountains into Disenchantment Bay. Listen for ice cracking, then watch bergs drift across the water. Unlike many glaciers, Hubbard has advanced in recent decades, at times constricting the entrance to Russell Fiord. Bring binoculars and a warm layer; the open deck offers the clearest views.

At Sea (At Sea)

Kodiak Island, USA

Kodiak sits on the island of the same name, where the Gulf of Alaska meets a working fishing town. Fishing boats fill the harbor, and seafood remains central to the local economy. Russian America left its mark at Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church and the Baranov Museum. Beyond town, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge protects wilderness famed for brown bears, often reached by guided air or boat trips.

Homer AK, USA

Homer rewards travelers who look beyond the harbor. At the end of the Sterling Highway, this lively Kenai Peninsula town faces Kachemak Bay and the mountains beyond. Walk the Homer Spit, a narrow gravel bar lined with fishing boats, shops, and seafood restaurants. Across the water, Kachemak Bay State Park protects a landscape of glaciers, coves, and trails. In town, galleries and the Pratt Museum tell stories of local art, history, and fishing.

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Seward, USA

Set between the Kenai Mountains and Resurrection Bay, Seward brings Alaska’s wild coast within easy reach. Tour boats reach Kenai Fjords National Park, where glaciers meet the sea and whales, otters, and seabirds thrive. The Alaska SeaLife Center brings marine life into view; nearby, Exit Glacier shows the forces shaping this landscape. Seward rewards a day outdoors, with time left to explore its historic waterfront.